2017 CX-5 GT wipers suck

@SpkrEng
I had this recent trip from NY to Baltimore while snowing and indeed the highway spray is a pain in the ass. The only temporary solution is to frequently spray it with the wiper fluid in between use to clear the highway spray that will just smear your windshield when using the wiper continuously.
 
Looks like our (Australian) wiper arm especially for passenger wiper is a little bit different to the USA/Canada Passenger wiper arm which could mean we get better rotation and wipe:

Australia

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USA/Canada

USA.jpg
 
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Contacted my dealer and they can't really do anything. Glad that I was not the only person with this problem, it is absolutely ridiculous. I've tried rain-x de-icer and it helps a bit...
 
Went to the Transport Canada website today to see how to file a report, then called Mazda Canada in Richmond Hill. Then I called my dealer again. I use a dealer almost an hour away because theyre fantastic, when I got there they put 2015 wiper arms on my 2017, put Bosch Icons on and sprayed the windscreen with that stuff that repels water. 20 minutes later Im out the door and driving through snow, night and day difference. Lean on your dealer, tell them you want it fixed and dont leave until they do.
 
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Had my '17 CX-5 GT since May and we do get cold/snow here in the Minneapolis area. I've only driven the car once while snowing and did not notice any adverse results. The snow did block the front sensors - either from the front camera or radar sensor in front of the grill. I got an error message saying Front Sensor Dirty/Blocked so SCBS and MRCC were inoperative.
 
Had my '17 CX-5 GT since May and we do get cold/snow here in the Minneapolis area. I've only driven the car once while snowing and did not notice any adverse results. The snow did block the front sensors - either from the front camera or radar sensor in front of the grill. I got an error message saying Front Sensor Dirty/Blocked so SCBS and MRCC were inoperative.

SCBS is the camera in your windshield
 
I agree the OEM wipers are no good.

Solution: I was able to fit the Michelin Stealth blade (https://ca.michelin-lifestyle.com/en/michelin-stealth-wiper-blade-1) by trimming (cutting off) very small amounts of the plastic EZ Lock adapter that it comes with. Just used an exacto knife. Also requires a little bit of force to get the adapter/blade in there.

Oh and these blades work very well in summer and winter. Also reasonably priced if you pick them up at Costco.

*Edit/Update: The first time you do this, you will have to buy two 24" Driver Side Blades and modify the EZ adapter (1 in each blade package), so that you have a modified adapter for both the driver and passenger side blade. For some reason, the 18" Passenger side blade doesn't come with an EZ adapter. You only have to do this once during the life of the car because the adapters are reusable.

I got the same blade from Costco today but it doesn't work. Can you give some specific instructions about how to trim the connector? Thanks
 
OK, so I will take pictures of the exact piece and process and post next time (probably in 4 months after winter)

But using some pics off the internet (I couldn't find the exact adapter that comes with the Michelin) I'll try to explain/show.

The actual problem is that the universal adapters are to wide to fit in the metal wiper arm of the 2017 CX-5. Home made solution, make the universal adapter thinner. I've used 2 methods so far that both work and tested in windy highway conditions (Ottawa to Toronto in a snow storm).

Solution Method 1:
a) Use the universal push-button adapter that comes with the universal blade and cut (used Exacto knife) the plastic bits off the universal adapter that make the adapter really wide (there's a piece on each side of the universal adapter that needs to be cut off, they are vertical). See pic for example.

b) With the modified universal adapter attached to the universal blade, attach/slide the adapter & blade into the metal wiper arm. You will need to squeeze the plastic of the universal adapter and use some force to slide it into the arm.

c) Continue the slide-in the universal adapter so you can see the little square (push button) that's part of the universal adapter through the square hole on the top of the wiper arm. Once use see it, it's in the right place and should be in pretty tight.

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Solution Method 2:
It would be really complicated to explain so I'll take pics or a video next time. But its safe to say I think it is the most secure way as it uses part of the adapter that comes with the car and requires making one cut to metal in the universal blade you buy, using a Dremel or other type of small saw).
 
Just wanted to post that I found the Rain-x Wipers fit my 2017 CX-5 GT fine. Didn't believe it when the clerk said they would, so he put his coat on and came out to install it. Much better than the OEM stuff for sure.
 
Just wanted to post that I found the Rain-x Wipers fit my 2017 CX-5 GT fine. Didn't believe it when the clerk said they would, so he put his coat on and came out to install it. Much better than the OEM stuff for sure.

Can we see some photos please (uhm)
 
Rain-x website doesn’t offer a 2017 CX-5 option

Trico *does* now offer replacements. Amazon has ‘em. “The only aftermarket wiper blade that fits the highly specialized 19mm (Narrow) Push Button FZ Arm attachment found on select 2016+ Mazda vehicles.”

24" Blade - Driver Side Part #: 24-17B
[OE Design]
18" Blade - Passenger Side Part #: 18-17B
[OE Design]
14" Blade - Rear Part #: 14-A

http://www.tricoproducts.com/Drivers/FindYourWiperSize
 
Just wanted to post that I found the Rain-x Wipers fit my 2017 CX-5 GT fine. Didn't believe it when the clerk said they would, so he put his coat on and came out to install it. Much better than the OEM stuff for sure.

Can you tell us which Rain-x fits on your car? Is it Latitude or Latitude Water Repellency or Quantum? Thanks
 
Custom Method Using OEM Wiper Plastic Adapter & Universal Wiper Blade (Michelin Stealth in this case)

Pic: Mazda's Blade with their plastic adapter piece.
Step 1: Use your finger to pry under the plastic on both sides of the blade and remove the plastic piece.
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Pic: This is the plastic adapter piece you are removing and will put on the universal blade so that the universal blade can attach to your car's wiper arms.
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Pic: This shows you the difference between Mazda's blade and a universal blade. The problem is that Mazda's blade is thinner where the plastic adapter installs onto compared to the universal blade.
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Pic: The plastic adapter attaches perfectly into the holes in the universal blade, but the plastic adapter will not slide down flat because the universal blade metal is too wide
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Step 2: Use pliers to bent (squeeze) the metal together, just enough so the plastic adapter fits but not too thin so it moves around to easily.
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Pic: Metal is squeezed in, but supper bar still remains (sticks out)
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Step 3: Use Dremel saw (metal cutter) to cut the support bar
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Pic: Support bar cut, remove piece that is sticking out.
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Step 4: Put the plastic adapter on and slide down for a perfect/OEM fit.
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Step 5: Re-install onto car's wiper arm.
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